Puzzle Philosophy, Designing a Mystery. Enigma Insight #1
Hello and welcome to the first Enigma Insight for The Boy who Typed Wolf!
Point and click adventure games have been a giant passion of mine since I first started gaming and puzzles have always been one of the central aspects of the experience. In this short post I wanted to highlight how I re-imagined that experience in my own project in order to make puzzles more intriguing and more enjoyable.
Solving Puzzles through Clues and Objects
Finding and analyzing clues has been my first core principle when designing puzzles. The eureka feeling of finally finding the solution through the different clues carefully placed in the game makes you question why you haven't pursued a detective career already. It is also very important that those clues aren't gimmicks randomly thrown in areas but handcrafted with attention to detail in order to fit the atmosphere, the puzzle and the story.
Solving Puzzles through Exploration and Observation
Not every answer hides in interactive clues and objects, sometimes you need to observe the environment and think outside the box to crack the riddle. Many of the game's puzzles require a combination of clue analysis and general observations which allows the player to experience every puzzle without breaking the overall immersion.
Meaningful Puzzles
Another one of my core principle has been that puzzles shouldn't be random tedious barricades in the experience but parts of the actual experience in a more substantial way. So in The Boy Who Typed Wolf I have tried to ensure that the puzzles have relevant connections with the story and the general atmosphere. These characteristics are in no way revolutionary but they are my take on how puzzles can reinforce the feeling of solving a mystery first hand and the overall adventure. Thank you for your time and don't forget to wishlist the game on Steam!
